Daria Golovchenko Refugee from Ukraine

Post updated on 10 June to include link to The Final in Manchester.

Daria Golovchenko from Ukraine Goes Forward to The Piano Final

Daria, a refugee from Kherson in Ukraine, amazed judges Lang Lang and Mika with her stunning piano performance of Astor Piazzolla’s Libertango during Series 2 Episode 3 of The Piano at Waverley Station in Edinburgh.

Asked by series host Claudia Winkleman “What have you chosen to play?” Daria Golovchenko tells us: Libertango, because liberty is a freedom, tango a dance of passion. And freedom is very important now for all of us Ukrainians because you have to be free here and here.” Daria says, pointing to her head and heart.

Series 2 Episode 3 The Piano

Series 2 Episode 3 aired on Channel 4 on 12 May 2024. Source: The Piano – Series 2: Episode 3. Free account required to stream. Channel 4 streams may not be available to viewers outside of the UK.

An Exception – There Were Two Winners

In a first for the series, judges Lang Lang and Mika made an exception and decided there should be two winners in this episode. Daria Golovchenko was chosen along with 10-year-old virtuoso Sum, who also amazed Lang Lang and Mika with his performance of the first movement of Haydn’s Sonata in D major, No. 37.

Sum is the first pianist to play and Daria’s performance starts at 33:50 in the stream.

Sum Plays Haydn’s Sonata in D major, No. 37 – Watch on YouTube

My recommendation, however, is to watch all the excellent performers in the stream. For me, episode 3 was one of my favourites.

Other Competitors That Stood Out For Me

Graham McDonald

Pianist Graham McDonald played his own composition, Etude in E Major. Clearly, this is a difficult piece to play yet Graham performed it with ease and this too was a huge hit with Lang Lang and Mika. Mika commented “I don’t understand why he isn’t playing recitals in his own name.”

Graham McDonald Plays Etude in E Major – Watch on YouTube

Alice

Alice played a song entitled Edie, which she had written for her sister, Edie. I loved the timbre of her voice, and the piano accompaniment suited the song perfectly. This was a beautiful song that spoke of great love for her sister. I haven’t come across a stand-alone video of Alice’s song that I could include in this post, but there is a shortened version on Chanel 4 The Piano’s YouTube channel, which I have included below. However, if I locate the complete performance, I will update this post. You can listen to Alice’s complete performance of the song at 22:40 on the Channel 4 stream linked to above.

Alice Performs Her Song Entitled Edie

The Final – The Piano – Series 2 Episode 7

Watch The Final that aired on 9 June 2024 at the Aviva Studios in Manchester.

You can watch this electrifying TV broadcast by clicking or touching this link, or the associated round image of the Steinway Piano.

Steinway piano, as played on by the performers.

Performers at The Final at the Aviva Studios

Alice played and sung Edie, dedicated to her sister
Brad Kella played and sung his composition Eve and Frank, dedicated to his foster parents. Awarded Performer of The Night
Daria Golovchenko from Ukraine played Piazzolla’s Libertango
Duncan, 80-year-old with dementia played Theme For Fran, dedicated to his wife
Michael, piano and countertenor played his own composition. The countertenor voice part is of made-up language
Sum played Paganini’s Edude No. 5 (Franz Liszt’s arrangement)
Teddy Otieno from Kenya played Chopin’s Fantaisie-impromptu in C sharp Minor